Detachable means for instant setup foldable tent

ABSTRACT

A tent detachable arrangement for an instant setup foldable tent is disclosed. In this instant setup foldable tent, while retaining the advantages of the instant setup foldable tent such as speediness and convenience, a tent detachable arrangement is provided, making it possible to attach and detach the tent to and from the tent frame, enabling the user to pitch the tent or the fly selectively or both, thus promoting the usefulness of the tent. The instant setup foldable tent includes a plurality of foldable tent frames secured to a hub, and a tent cloth is coupled to the plurality of the foldable tent frames by a plurality of hooks. The tent includes a tent detachable coupling attached between a lower portion of the tent cloth and a lower portion of each pole of the foldable tent frames making it possible to attach and detach the test cloth to and from the frames, leaving tent frame untouched; and further includes a pole-securing arrangement provided to secure the tent poles firmly to the ground.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a tent detachable means for an instant setup foldable tent. More specifically, the present invention relates to a detachable coupling arrangement for an instant setup foldable tent of the kind in which the tent frame is coupled to the tent cloth by means of hooks. The detachable coupling arrangement is disposed between each pole of the tent frame and the adjacent respective lower portions of the tent cloth. Thus, in the case where only a fly is to be installed, the tent may be easily separated from the tent frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Foldable tents are well known from the prior art. The ordinary foldable tent includes a tent frame consisting of a plurality of flexible tent poles, each of which is typically made up of several smaller frame segments that are shock-corded together to permit for compact stowage. The tent cloth of the ordinary foldable tent is also is separable from the tent frame. Installation of the ordinary foldable tent first requires that the tent poles be assembled prior to connection to the tent cloth.

[0003] Another example of a prior art foldable tent is the instant set up or so called “one-touch” foldable tent. Examples of one-touch foldable tents are disclosed in Korean Utility Model Registrations 48630 (dated Jul. 4, 1990; 48717 (dated Jul. 7, 1990); 60228 (dated Nov. 1, 1991); 95072 (dated Mar. 6, 1996); 109306 (dated Sep. 5, 1997); 129575 (dated August 1998); and 149956 (dated Mar. 31, 1999). The aforementioned registered utility models are commonly owned by the assignee of the present application and are incorporated herein by reference herein.

[0004] When pitching the conventional one-touch foldable tent, the tent poles of the tent frame unfold about a central connecting hub by one-touch manipulation. The tent cloth, being already attached to individual tent poles, unfolds along with the unfolding of the tent poles. Thus, the set up for such one-touch foldable tents is quick and convenient.

[0005] Further, in case where a fly is coupled to the frame, both the tent and the fly are assembled simultaneously, thereby furthering the convenience in use.

[0006] Thus, if a tent with a foldable frame is to be pitched by one-touch manipulation, the frame and the tent should be kept coupled at all times so that the tent cloth can be unfolded at the same time when the frame is unfolded. Owing to the coupled state between the frame and the tent cloth, a tent is instantly installed.

[0007] One example of a known coupling arrangement for coupling the tent cloth to a supporting frame in the conventional one-touch foldable tent is illustrated in FIG. 6. As shown in this drawing, the coupling arrangement includes an insertion part p″ with a pair of latches p′ formed on the lower tip of the pole p of the tent frame f. This insertion part p″ detachably couples to a slot h of pole-securing member s, which also includes a ring r for securing the tent to the ground by a peg or stake (shown in phantom). The ceiling part of the tent cloth may be flexibly coupled to the frame by means of one or more hooks in accordance with the conventional technique.

[0008] The one-touch foldable tent can be quickly and conveniently installed in an open field, in contrast with the ordinary type of tent in which a plurality of poles must first be assembled and then inserted into a plurality of sleeve loops attached to the tent cloth.

[0009] Meanwhile, in the conventional one-touch foldable tent, the tent is provided with securing means (e.g., stakes) to secure the tent cloth to the ground, and the frames are secured to these securing means. Therefore, as the frame is assembled to the tent integrally, the two are inseparable. Thus, should the user desire to install the fly independently of the tent, this cannot be done as the user cannot separate the frame from the tent.

[0010] Of course, since the roof part of the tent cloth is coupled to the frame by means of loops, the roof part can be easily detached from the frame. However, the lower part of each frame pole p is inseparably coupled to the pole-securing member s, and therefore, if the fly is to be installed, the whole tent, including the fly, must be installed. Thus, despite the convenience and the simplicity in use, the scope of use of these conventional one-touch foldable tents is limited.

[0011] These problems are typical in the one-touch foldable tent, and these problems are not seen in other types of foldable tents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is intended to overcome the above-described disadvantages of the conventional one-touch foldable tent.

[0013] Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a highly efficient instant setup foldable tent which not only retains the advantages of the foldable tent such as speediness and convenience in pitching a tent but also provides a tent detachable coupling and a pole-securing arrangement between the tent cloth and the lower portion of the tent frame pole, thereby making it possible to pitch a tent as well as to pitch a fly without a tent.

[0014] In achieving the above object, the instant setup foldable tent according to the present invention comprises: a plurality of foldable tent frames movably secured to a hub; and a tent cloth coupled through a plurality of hooks to the foldable tent frames so as to unfold the tent frames by a one-touch operation to install the tent.

[0015] The tent further comprises: a tent detachable coupling arrangement attached to the tent cloth between a lower portion of the tent cloth and a lower portion of each pole of the foldable tent frame so as to make it possible to attach and detach the tent cloth to and from the tent frame; and a pole-securing arrangement provided for the pole to be secured to the ground, whereby the poles can be secured independently to the ground even when the tent cloth is detached from the tent frame.

[0016] In this way the poles and the tent cloth are coupled by means of the tent detachable coupling arrangement of the present invention so as to install the tent by a one-touch manipulation; the frame and the tent cloth can be detached using the detachable coupling; and only the frames can be installed on the ground by securing the frames to the ground by means of the pole-securing arrangement provided for the lower pole portions of each frame member.

[0017] The tent detachable coupling arrangement according to the present invention may be accomplished by employing the ordinary hooks, rings, buckles or other existing devices available. The pole-securing arrangement is fashioned so as to employ the ordinary devices for securing the tent pole to the ground, such as stakes and pegs. In the preferred embodiment, there is provided a pole-securing member having a hole in its center sized to receivingly engage the tip end of the lower pole portion of the frame member, a retaining ring formed along one end through which a stake or peg is received and is driven into the ground, and a retaining slot disposed along its other end. The retaining slot permits the pole-securing member to be linked to the tent detachable coupling arrangement.

[0018] Thus, according to the present invention, the advantage that the tent and the fly can both be installed by a one-touch manipulation is maintained. In addition, the tent cloth can be detached from the tent frame to permit for installation of only the fly without disturbing the tent frame. In this way, the present invention offers an added advantage in use, that is, use of the fly only as a sun shelter. Thus, the usefulness of the instant setup foldable tent is promoted, and therefore, the tent can be used in an easier and more convenient manner than the conventional foldable tents.

[0019] The present invention is applicable to general foldable tents, regardless of the structures and shapes of the tent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The above object and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail the preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0021]FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the folded state of the instant setup foldable tent according to the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a frontal view showing a state in which the tent cloth is coupled to the lower portion of the poles of the tent frame by a tent detachable coupling when the instant setup foldable tent of the present invention is installed;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a frontal view showing a state in which the tent cloth is detached form the poles of the tent through the tent detachable coupling when only the fly of the instant setup foldable tent of the present invention is installed;

[0024]FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a state in which the pole of the tent is secured to the ground by using a securing member, and the tent cloth is coupled by means of the detachable coupling;

[0025]FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a state in which the pole of the tent is secured to the ground by using a securing member, and the tent cloth is detached by means of the detachable coupling;

[0026]FIG. 6 illustrates a state in which the pole of the conventional foldable tent frame is being coupled to the tent; and

[0027]FIG. 7 illustrates the pole-securing member linked to the tent detachable coupling according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0028] With reference to FIGS. 1-7, the foldable tent frame of the present invention comprises a plurality of foldable arcuate elastic frame members f connected to a hub b. A roof portion of a tent t is coupled to each of the frame members f by means of a plurality of hooks u. Thus, the frame members f and the tent t are unfolded instantly by a one-touch operation to pitch the tent at one stroke.

[0029] A tent detachable coupling arrangement A is disposed between the lower pole portion p of the frame members f and the lower portion of the tent cloth t. A pole-securing arrangement B is provided to secure the lower pole portion p of each frame member f.

[0030] Unlike the conventional foldable tent, the tent of the present invention secures its frames to the ground by means of the pole-securing arrangement B. Then the tent cloth t is coupled to the frame members f that have been secured to the ground. Therefore, the frame members f are not restricted by the tent cloth t, and therefore, the frame members f themselves can be installed on the ground independently, so that only the fly can be installed over the frames if desired.

[0031] In the present invention, the tent detachable coupling arrangement A is independent of the pole-securing arrangement B, but these two pieces can be physically connected together. FIG. 7 illustrates one particular embodiment in which the tent detachable coupling arrangement A is physically connected to the pole-securing arrangement B.

[0032] As best seen in FIG. 2, when the tent of the present invention is pitched, the tent detachable coupling arrangement A advantageously provides a quick disconnect connection between the frames f and the tent cloth t. Accordingly, the frames f together with the tent cloth t can be unfolded from the folded state of FIG. 1 like an umbrella by one touch manipulation by the elasticity of the springs contained within the frame members (not illustrated).

[0033] The unfolded frames f are secured to the ground by means of the pole-securing arrangement B, and the lower pole portions p of the frames f are further secured to the ground by the stakes driven into the ground through the rings of the pole-securing arrangement B. This arrangement secures the tent frames firm enough to stay stable even against a strong wind.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, in the case where only the fly is to be installed, the tent cloth t is separated in the first place from the frames f by means of the tent detachable coupling arrangement A as shown in FIG. 5 and then, only the frames f are unfolded by one touch manipulation. Then the lower pole portions p of the frames f are secured to the ground by means of the pole-securing arrangement B, and then, the fly w is installed over the frames f.

EXAMPLE

[0035]FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention showing how the pole-securing arrangement B can be linked in quick disconnect fashion to the tent detachable coupling arrangement A of the tent.

[0036] Here, the tent detachable coupling arrangement A takes the form of an ordinary buckle, while the pole-securing arrangement B is a known-type of securing member, which is used to secure the lower pole portions for the frame members of the tent to the ground.

[0037] The tent detachable coupling arrangement A includes: a female buckle 1 having an insertion hold 1 a and an engaging step 1 b; and a male coupling member 2 with a pair of hooks 2 a protruding symmetrically to be inserted into the insertion hold 1 a and to be engaged to the engaging step 1 b.

[0038] The male coupling member 2 further includes a slot 2 b through which a connecting loop 3 passes, and the connecting loop 3 is attached to the lower edge of the tent cloth t. Meanwhile, the buckle 1 has a slot 1 c, and a band 4 passes through the slot c to be connected to a pole-securing piece 5 of the pole-securing member B.

[0039] The pole-securing arrangement B is basically the same as the conventional pole-securing member shown in FIG. 6. That is, the lower pole portion p of the frame f is inserted into a slot 5 a which is formed at the center of the pole-securing piece 5, and the pole-securing piece 5 has a semi-ring 5 b. The band 4 passes through the slot 5 c of the pole-securing piece 5 so as to be connected to the buckle 1 of the detachable coupling arrangement A.

[0040] Thus, the detachable coupling arrangement A of the tent is physically connected to the pole-securing arrangement B.

[0041] If the male coupling member 2 is inserted into the female buckle 1, then the hooks 2 a of the coupling member 2 are engaged to the engaging step 1 b, and therefore, the lower pole portions p and the tent cloth t are coupled together. Thus the tent can be installed by one touch manipulation.

[0042] Further, the tent can be detached from the tent frame by separating the male coupling member 2 from the female buckle 1, and then, only the frames f can be unfolded by one touch manipulation. Then the lower pole portions p are secured to the ground by driving the stakes through the semi-rings 5 b of the securing piece 5 into the ground, thereby securing the frames f to the ground. Then only the fly can be coupled to the unfolded frames f as shown in FIG. 3.

[0043] The preferred embodiment of the present invention was described referring to the attached drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the drawings. That is, the tent detachable means A can be varied into various types of connecting devices, and the pole-securing means B can also be varied into various types.

[0044] According to the present invention as described above, the instant setup foldable tent is provided with the detachable means between the lower portion of the poles and the tent cloth and is also provided with the pole-securing means at the lower portion of the poles. Accordingly, the speediness and the convenience of the instant setup foldable tent are maintained intact, and besides, the tent cloth can be attached to and detached from the tent frames. Therefore, even in the instant setup foldable tent, the tent cloth can be removed, and only the fly, without the tent, can be installed over the frames, thereby improving the usefulness of the instant setup foldable tent. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tent detachable means of an instant setup foldable tent wherein the tent can be pitched instantly by unfolding the folded tent frames by a one-touch operation, the roof portion of the tent being connected to a plurality of tent frames secured to a hub comprises: a tent detachable means provided between the lower portion of the poles of the tent frame and the lower portion of said tent; and a pole securing means at each lower end portion of the tent frames.
 2. A tent detachable means of an instant setup foldable tent as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tent detachable means A consisting of an ordinary buckle 1 and a connecting member 2, is detachably connected between the tent and the pole-securing means B.
 3. A tent detachable means of an instant setup foldable tent as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pole is secured to the ground through the rectangular slot 5 a of the a pole-securing piece 5 and wherein the pole-securing piece 5 is connected to said tent detachable means A. 